2012 - First-Generation Students and Retention at the University of Dayton

Choy (2001) found that first-generation students were twice as likely to leave a four-year institution in comparison to students who are non first-generation students. This study was done in a phenomenological research framework to hear the stories of first-generation students at the University of Dayton in order to understand the barriers these students would face in this context. The one-to-one interviews that were conducted gave a group of first-generation students an outlet to voice their concerns and successes to assess the support systems for first-generation students at the University of Dayton. Findings suggest that students are interested in support, however fear being othered.